Best Glamping in the Bay Area

May 18, 2020 - Updated

Recent years have seen a surge in the popularity of glamping. A couple of decades ago, barely anyone had even heard of the term, but nowadays it’s one of the best ways to travel. Glamping is essentially an upgraded version of camping. Instead of having to pack your own tent and sleep on the ground in sleeping bags, making do without electricity, internet, and other key services, glamping provides pre-constructed accommodation in forms like tents, cabins, lodges, yurts, wagons, and more. Glamping sites often feature the sorts of luxuries and amenities you’d associate with modern hotels like comfortable beds, private bathrooms, internet access, and more.

1.Overview

Glamping is clearly a great way to travel, especially if you want to explore beautiful areas and green spaces without all the inconvenience and discomfort that can often go along with traditional camping. Many different glamping sites have sprung up all around the United States and the rest of the world in recent times, and there are some great glamping locations in the Bay Area. With so much urban and natural beauty to uncover, from the stunning skyline of San Francisco to the never-ending vineyards of the Napa Valley and the beauty of the Palo Alto Baylands, there's a whole lot to love in the Bay Area and glamping provides a wonderful way to experience this part of California.

Yurts, cabins, tents and more can be found in the Bay Area. Some are nestled in forests and surrounded by Californian redwoods, while others are situated in open spaces, offering beautiful views of the surrounding valleys and vineyards. In short, there’s something for everyone, and many of these glamping locations are in close proximity to national parks and all sorts of attractions, offering an endless list of reasons to come back time and time again.

2.Best Glamping in the Bay Area

There are a lot of great glamping locations to choose from all around the Bay Area. Whether you’re traveling solo or as a couple, family, or group of friends, you’ll find a whole host of super sites just waiting to welcome you in. Read on to learn more about some of the best glamping sites in the Bay Area.

- Yurts and Cabins at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park - 3801 St Helena Hwy, Calistoga, CA 94515, Phone: 707-942-4575

The Bothe-Napa Valley State Park was established back in 1960 and covers almost 2,000 acres of land. For a long time, this area was exclusively reserved for traditional tent and RV camping, but in recent years some old cabins have been restored and opened up in the area, along with some yurts. Featuring beautiful interiors and amenities, these yurts and cabins provide the perfect base for Bay Area adventures and are very conveniently located near multiple wineries for wine-tasting and tours.

- Safari West - 3115 Porter Creek Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, Phone: 800-616-2695

Safari West is a very popular wildlife preserve in Sonoma County. It covers more than 400 acres and houses over 1,000 animals, but did you know it's also a great glamping site? It's perfectly possible to spend a night or two at Safari West in a luxury tent. With en-suite bathrooms, beautiful beds, super viewing decks and gorgeous hardwood floors in each tent, this glamping location actually lets you feel like you're out on a safari, listening to the sounds of the jungle all around. Special packages include romantic evenings and 'Guy's Getaway' events can also be booked including additional services like safari tours and massages.

- Mt Madonna Yurts - 7850 Pole Line Road, Watsonville, CA 95076, Phone: 408-355-2201

At the Mt Madonna County Park, you can choose from traditional camping or up-scale glamping. The site is home to a beautiful set of luxury yurts in three different sizes, all equipped with bunk beds and futons, as well as comfy decks for you to relax with a good book or simply admire the surrounding redwoods. Activities to enjoy at Mt Madonna County Park include forest trails, hiking, wildlife spotting, picnics, and more.

- Costanoa Lodge - Pescadero, California, Phone: 650-879-1100

A super eco adventure resort nestled snugly among some of the prettiest California scenery you could hope to lay your eyes on, Costanoa Lodge offers a veritable paradise for glamping enthusiasts. Take in the views and beauty of the California coastline, eat at the delicious Cascade Bar & Grill, partake in a wide range of activities, and relax in one of the site's excellent accommodation options, ranging from campground cabins to tent bungalows and elegant lodges.